True Crime - Large Print by Patricia Cornwell (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Instant New York Times bestseller!

#1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Cornwell finally tells the story that rivals all of the works that precede it: her own.

"Let's start, and end, with this: Patricia Cornwell's autobiography, TRUE CRIME, could be the best book she's ever written. And I've read them all!" --James Patterson

Patricia Cornwell is best known for her international bestselling thriller series about forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta. Every story comes from somewhere, and Scarpetta's began when Patricia Cornwell embedded herself in a morgue.

In this achingly honest memoir, Cornwell excavates her own life, detailing her traumatic childhood being raised by neglectful parents, her father abandoning the young family on Christmas day, her mother being institutionalized twice, an abusive foster family, and developing a parental relationship with evangelist Billy Graham's wife Ruth. Cornwell depicts a harrowing hospitalization and near-death car accident. She unflinchingly shares overcoming obstacles that later gave her the ambition to become an award-winning police reporter. From there it was research in a medical examiner's office that would turn into a full-time job. She would become a forensic expert and worldwide publishing phenomenon.

Cornwell leaves no stone unturned in this deeply candid account of her life, offering inspiring insight into what made her into the international sensation she is today.

Review Quotes

"If you've ever wondered how crime writers manage to dream up the mayhem they write about, this book is an excellent window into the process."--Oprah Daily

"Patricia Cornwell has logged more hours in morgues than any crime writer I can think of. The millions of readers addicted to her novels will enjoy this eye-opening and profoundly personal autobiography. How she came to create the indelible character of Dr. Kay Scarpetta is only part of a surprising, whirlwind story."

--Carl Hiaasen

'A memoir with all the thrills and twists--not to mention a bit of blood and terror--of one of Cornwell's thrillers. This will keep them awake until the small hours.'--Val McDermid

"Having long been a fan of Patricia Cornwell's work, I was excited to read her memoir, "True Crime." Cornwell brings a deft hand and her well-honed storytelling skills to the circumstances of her own fascinating life. It is parts touching, searing, thoughtful, heartbreaking and never fails to captivate. She is as brutally honest, and bone deep with herself, as she has been with her fictional characters. I learned a lot, both about Patricia Cornwell, and humanity in general. A book truly worthy of anyone's time and attention."--David Baldacci

"In this powerful memoir, Patricia Cornwell reveals the extraordinary life behind her success. She writes with raw clarity about a past that would have broken many, refusing to soften the truth or look away. This is a deeply human story, told as if she were talking to a best friend, and readers will feel like they are taking the journey with her. Her ability to persevere defines resilience, strength, and hope."--Barbara Butcher, former death investigator for New York City

"Let's start, and end, with this: Patricia Cornwell's autobiography, TRUE CRIME, could be the best book she's ever written. And I've read them all!"--James Patterson

"Our favorite medical examiner turns her forensic skills on herself--this is Scarpetta's autopsy of Patricia Cornwell's life. Add "True Crime" to Cornwell's stack of great, vivid reads--secrets are unpeeled and dissected--compelling storytelling with no shortage of twists and surprises."--Lesley Stahl

"Sometimes a true crime doesn't look conventional but in Patricia Cornwell's life, the crime was true enough. Childhood abandonment and neglect forged a resilience and perception of humanity clearly evident across her best selling novels. A remarkable, enthralling, and riveting story of her life."--Dan Aykroyd

"This is a story only Patricia Cornwell could possibly tell, about the greatest Cornwall character of them all: Herself."--Mike Lupica

"This literary memoir is as good as it gets, with more action and drama than many novels."--Kirkus (starred review)

"Patricia Cornwell's TRUE CRIME is absolutely riveting and beautifully written, revealing the origin story of someone with unparalleled tenacity--never quitting, even when facing tremendous adversity. Her memoir underscores the sentiment that only enormous pressure creates a diamond--which is exactly what Patricia is."
--Billie Jean King

"Patricia Cornwell's memoir is a personal page-turner, filled with mysteries and tragedies like her fiction, but these characters are real."--Jamie Lee Curtis

About the Author

Patricia Cornwell is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and widely considered one of the world's top crime writers. In 1990, Patricia Cornwell sold her first novel, Postmortem, while working at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond, Virginia. An auspicious debut, it went on to win the Edgar, Creasey, Anthony, and Macavity Awards, as well as the French Prix du Roman d'Aventures--the first book ever to claim all these distinctions in a single year. Growing into an international phenomenon, the Scarpetta series won Cornwell the Sherlock Award for best detective created by an American author, the Gold Dagger Award, the RBA Thriller Award, and the Medal of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters for her contributions to literary and artistic development.

Today, Cornwell's novels and iconic characters are known around the world. Beyond the Scarpetta series, Cornwell has written the definitive nonfiction account of Jack the Ripper's identity, cookbooks, a children's book, a biography of Ruth Graham, and three other fictional series based on the characters Win Garano, Andy Brazil, and Captain Calli Chase. Cornwell continues exploring the latest space-age technologies and threats relevant to contemporary life. Her interests range from the morgue to artificial intelligence and include visits to Interpol, the Pentagon, the U.S. Secret Service, and NASA.

Cornwell was born in Miami. She grew up in Montreat, North Carolina, and now lives and works in Boston.